Omar Artan
Somali football referee (born 1992)
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Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somali: Cumar Cabdulqaadir Cartan; Arabic: عمر عبد القادر عرتن; born 6 June 1992) is a Somali football referee. Artan was the first referee from Somalia to take charge of a continental final, overseeing Egyptian side Pyramids FC's 2024–25 CAF Champions League triumph over South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in Cairo. He has also officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He was the sole representative from Sub-Saharan Africa to officiate at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[1][2][3] Somali sporting authorities and media have described Artan's achievements as a source of pride and an inspiration for the country's sporting development.[4] He was the first Somali referee selected for a FIFA World Cup tournament, among three centre referees chosen from Africa. However, Artan was not allowed to enter the United States and was removed from the tournament, generating controversy.[5] Shortly after, he was selected to be the 2026 UEFA Super Cup referee, scheduled to take place in August after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
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Artan at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations | |||
| Born |
6 June 1992 Mogadishu, Somalia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2018– | Somali First Division | Referee | |
| International | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2018– | FIFA listed | Referee | |
Early life
Refereeing career
Artan began his refereeing career in local Somali leagues and became an official referee in the Somali First Division. He has been a member of the FIFA-listed referees since 2018.[8] Artan made history in January 2024 as the first Somali to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations, overseeing the Group E match between Tunisia and Namibia. He has also handled high-profile fixtures in the CAF Champions League and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[6] Artan was a part of a nine-member contingent from Africa that includes three referees and six assistant referees selected.[3][4]
Somalia's footballing landscape faced numerous challenges due to instability and conflict that plagued the country for decades. However, recent efforts to restore peace and security have created opportunities for football revival. FIFA played a pivotal role in this revival by offering training to Somali referees and young footballers. Training had been halted for many years due to the unstable situation in the country. However, with the security improvement, FIFA resumed its training programs.[9]
Upon being appointed for the FIFA World Cup in April 2026, president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud applauded Artan for his "effort, skills, and integrity."[10]
2026 FIFA World Cup
In April 2026, Artan was selected to referee the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[11] On 6 June, he flew from Istanbul, Turkey, to Miami over the weekend to attend a mandatory FIFA match officials seminar ahead of the World Cup.[12] He had secured multiple 3-month US entry visas and received a diplomatic passport facilitated by the Somali Embassy in Nairobi,[13] but upon arrival at Miami International Airport, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) denied him entry,[14] immediately placing him on a return flight to Istanbul.[15] CBP stated that Artan was found inadmissible following inspection due to unspecified "vetting concerns" and was therefore denied admission to the United States.[11]
Some sources blamed the stringent vetting processes and tight immigration restrictions implemented by Trump administration.[16] Artan later said that he had been subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before being refused entry. He stated that US officials did not provide a clear explanation for the decision, despite his possessing the required travel documents, and suggested that his Somali nationality may have been a factor. Describing the World Cup as "the biggest dream of my life", he expressed disappointment at being unable to participate in the tournament.[17] After his return to Somalia, Artan said that among the questions made by the US officials were topics related to Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab.[10] An unnamed US official subsequently stated that Artan's alleged "association with suspected members of terror organizations" was the reason for refusing entry.[18][19][20]
The entry denial was condemned by human rights advocates, critics, and Canadian political figures including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, whose city was co-hosting tournament matches. Chow criticized the decision, stating that "denying entry to Omar Artan, who has earned his place on the world stage through hard work and perseverance, is not right," while affirming that he would be welcome to officiate in Toronto.[21][22]
FIFA confirmed that he would be unable to participate as a match official at the tournament, noting that decisions regarding entry and visas ultimately rested with the host government.[13] Although the tournament was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, referees were required to attend centralized preparations in the United States. FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina had established a training hub in Miami for the tournament's 52 referees and 88 assistant referees, making participation in the United States an essential part of tournament officiating preparations.[23]
On 10 June 2026, Artan landed back in Somalia, receiving a warm welcome by authorities and civilians as well as hailing him as a hero.[24] In a brief statement to the press, Artan expressed disappointment with the United States and called on Somalis to defend the name of the country, further stating that he hopes to be at the next FIFA World Cup.[10] Afterwards, FIFA confirmed that Artan would receive his full fee for the 2026 World Cup despite being unable to officiate at the tournament.[25]
2026 UEFA Super Cup
On 11 June 2026, Artan was selected by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to referee of the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, which is expected to take place at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August 2026.[26][27] His selection followed negotiations between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).[28][29] He will become the first ever African to become a referee in a UEFA competition match.[30]
2025–26 Kuwaiti Premier League
On 21 June 2026, while the 2026 FIFA World Cup was actively in progress, the Kuwait Football Association invited Artan to officiate the final match of the 2025–26 Kuwaiti Premier League season between Kuwait SC and Qadsia SC. The Somali Football Federation welcomed the invitation.[31]
